SUZUKI BREAKS SALES RECORD IN TOUGH MARKET

Suzuki Auto has hit another milestone in the past month, after the company recorded the highest sales month since being established in South Africa in 2008.

The Japanese brand recorded total sales of 744 units, which represents a jump of 27% over its sales in June and an equally impressive jump of 68 units over its previous record. Before breaking through the 700-unit barrier, Suzuki had achieved its best sales in September 2014, when 676 new Suzuki vehicles were sold.

While the jump in sales in July is significant, Suzuki’s growth for the year to date is equally impressive. The brand has grown its share of the market by 22% over the same period in 2016.

Suzuki’s growth in vehicle sales comes amidst a general slowdown on the overall vehicle market. According to the National Association of Automobile Manufacturers (Naamsa), July was generally in the black, but total industry sales remain in the red for the year and have declined by 0.3% for the year to date.

In July, Suzuki also extended its warranty period from three year / 100 000 km to five year / 200 000 km to further bolster its value proposition and underline its commitment to their products. The extension is valid until 31 December 2017 on all passenger models.

Says André Venter, divisional head for sales and marketing at Suzuki Auto: “To hit a new record in a tough and declining market is the best confirmation possible that our sales and service support strategy is working. People are looking for affordable and trustworthy vehicles and Suzuki certainly delivers.”

Suzuki has been riding a wave of public approval since winning the WesBank / Cars.co.za coveted Brand of the Year Award. The Award, which was handed to Suzuki in January, tallied the feedback of thousands of vehicle owners and recognised the brand’s growing popularity.

Since then, Suzuki was named the Company to Watch by CAR Magazine, which commended the brand’s value-for-money offering and growing range of passenger cars and commercial vehicles. At the same time, buyers voted with their wallets and made Suzuki one of the best-performing vehicle importers in the country.

Suzuki’s vehicle strategy, service levels and affordable pricing also received a thumbs-up from its dealer network. In July, the National Automotive Dealer Association (NADA) voted Suzuki one of the most improved automotive brands, while its dealer network awarded it with a top-tier Gold NADA Award.

“Our performance in South Africa mimics in many ways what is happening with Suzuki around the world,” says Venter. “Suzuki’s unwavering commitment to creating compact, value-for-money and exciting cars and commercial vehicles has made the company a specialist in this field and it is paying dividends in many other markets where its sales have boomed.”